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AICE: General Paper 8004 Course

“Formatia trans sicere educatorum”

The Overview, so this isn’t just English?

AICE General Paper is not a traditional English Class, while it does count as your 10th Grade ELA Credit; it is so much more than just reading and writing and grammar. Yes, we will read, a LOT! And yes, we will write, a TON! But this class is beyond that box, we will be writing and discussing topics from all over your curriculum as well as what is currently happening ALL OVER the planet!

This class teaches you to be a global citizen; from analyzing the newest scientific innovation to engaging in a feverish debate over issues like gun control and immigration and how they affect us; other days we will be analyzing the intention of the creator of a piece of literature or art. YES, this is General Paper and I could not be more ecstatic about going on this journey with you! This class will prepare you to write for the AICE Exam, the AP Exams, for college and beyond. You will Read, Write, and Think on topics you might not have even heard about in the past; you will research, revise, and rewrite to polish your craft; you will collaborate, create, and present to elevate the discussion and to take ownership of your learning.

We will delve into all types of Literature: Non-Fiction and Fiction, poetry, drama, older texts, and current news articles. To be successful in this class you MUST do the outside readings and be ENGAGED (note taking, annotating, highlighting) in the readings. Worried about the FSA/PSAT/SAT/ACT? No problem. Worried about GPA or future AP Classes? Your transcripts will ROCK if you take this class seriously. It sets the foundations for all types of writing for your future; from excelling in other courses, to junior research papers, to senior college admissions essays. No matter the question, my door is open, and “enter all ye who seek knowledge.”

Writing Objectives

1. To learn about a variety of topics and be able to discuss them on a mature, formal level (CONTENT).

2. To learn how to communicate thoughts and opinions clearly by using precise language, solid sentence structure, and thoughtful organization (USE OF ENGLISH).

Course Supplementary texts:

• How to Read Literature Like a Professor (SR)

• Edith Hamilton’s Mythology (2nd-4th QTR)

Reading Selections will include, but are not limited to:

• Semester 1

• Of Mice & Men (SR)

• The Once & Future King*

• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind*

• A Tale of Two Cities (Qtr 2 & 3)

Semester 2

• Animal Farm

• 1984*

• A Midsummer Night’s Dream

• Poetry selections from Shakespeare

*Students will be required to obtain their own copies of these novels. A limited number of titles are available for those who need to borrow them. You may purchase used copies from , Chamblin’s Bookmine or Black Sheep Books. Non-starred books are in the school novel room.

Supplies for Success

• 2” Binder with 8 dividers (as this course has no primary text, your portfolio is your reference as we go through the class and should be with you DAILY).

• College Rule Loose leaf paper

• Blue/Black/Red pens

• #2 Pencils for Quizzes

• 5 Highlighters

• USB Flashdrive

• A mini stapler (very useful for a writing intensive class)

• Vocabulary Workbook

• Multi-colored post-it notes: square and flags for annotating novels

• 5x8 Index Cards

• Professional e-mail address (this is something students will use throughout the remainder of their high school classes and college applications, recommendation is their 1st & last name with a server such as Gmail).

Ongoing Year Projects: a combination of in class examples and home learning assignments.

• Literary Device Cards (5x8 Index cards): This is based out of the class novels and to enrich your understanding of the texts, connections to the Author’s Purpose, and in preparation for the AP Lang Exam.

• Allusion Cards (5x8 Index cards): These will be completed through the reading of Edith Hamilton’s Mythology as well as additional texts as a foundation for understanding the foundations of English Literature.

Online Resources for the Classroom:

• (submission of final essays & study guides)

o Class code:

o Password: mustang

• (Text/e-mail reminders of upcoming items)

o Class code:

• : login information will be posted on my website.

Academic Responsibilities:

• ALL assignments are due ON or BEFORE the due date. A planned absence (vacations, doctor’s appointments, field trip etc.) does not excuse you from turning in an assignment on time.

• It is your responsibility to check the website calendar of events for project information and due dates.

• If you miss a class, you MUST bring me a note the day you return to class explaining your absence with parent signature and contact information included.

Cheating/Plagiarism:

• Students are expected to abide by a code of honor.

• Cheating in any form is not tolerated.

• I expect you to conduct yourselves with integrity. Do your own work and your best work.

SPARK NOTES/CLIFF’S NOTES

• These guides will NOT help you pass my tests and are a waste of your time. We ANALYZE in AICE, not summarize. You WILL get better at reading difficult texts over time, but you must put effort into the process.

Grades

Grades are assigned on a points system. Major assignments will be worth more points than daily assignments.

| |Semester 1 |Semester 2 |

|Writing |50% of total grade |60% of total grade |

|Tests |30% of total grade |25% of total grade |

|Homework/ Class work |20% of total grade |15% of total grade |

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Contact: My website will ALWAYS be the best place for you to get information for this Class:

• Home Learning Posted

• Details on Assignments

• Links to Help and Important related information

• Videos relating to in class discussion

This is YOUR CLASS! If you have questions it is YOUR responsibility to contact me, I answer e-mails up until 9pm nightly. Be sure to include why you are contacting me and what steps you have taken to try and answer this question already so I don’t suggest something you have already done. (We will have a practice assignment on proper e-mailing so I suggest keeping that as a template!)

Reed’s Rituals & Routines

1. BE PROMPT: I know I am the furthest classroom in the way back corner and I know this campus is large, I do still expect that you will arrive and be on task when you come into the room.

2. BE COURTEOUS: Please do not pack up before the end of the period, I dismiss you, not the bell and this causes a distraction and is thus rude.

3. BE PREPARED: Bring class materials DAILY to class, notebook, pen, class novel, etc, hall passes will not be given for forgotten items.

4. BE RESPECTFUL: We will be discussing many hot topic issues and there will be many different views in the classroom, respect that others may have an alternative thought on it and that you can learn from listening to them.

5. BE ATTENTIVE: If your cell phone alarm goes off, I get that…If you are texting while I’m talking, I don’t. Clock is at the front, ask me the time, or wear a watch; these are all acceptable alternatives. We will use your phones for some activities in class, above the desk, general rule is if you are sneaking it, you know it’s wrong. #’ain’tnobodygottimefordat’

*Credit given for training and materials for the creation of this syllabus accredited to Jill Pavich, NBCT, Boca Raton Community High School, PBCSD

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